Here are some great ideas on how to build your network:

6 Quick Ideas for Building Your Contact List:

1. Trade Show Marketing, Fishbowls, and Plexiglas Drawing Box
2. Register for free and inexpensive seminars from your local business journal.
3. Read the local business paper and scan articles written about successful small business owners.
4. Join two of the hundreds of networking organizations in the US (e.g. BNI, local chamber of commerce, etc.).
5. Go through the want ads and look for others promoting their businesses. Call them and say, “I am a local business owner in the … business, and I am looking to network with other business owners so that we might refer business to each other . . . would you be interested in getting together? I would like to learn a little about what you do and also talk to you about what I do to see if we might help each other get more business?” You may have to talk to 10 to get 2, but many will want to meet with you.
6. Ask 10 people that you know for 3 names and addresses of business owners that are in the process of building a business.

I hope this information helps you grow your list.

All the best,

Sometimes, weird things pop into my head and I think that they are worth blogging about. I hope you agree that this was worth posting on this blog.

All sales reps and business owners have one common challenge. That challenge is marketing. We’re always looking for more effective ways to get the word out about our business. In my opinion, word-of-mouth via networking is probably the most powerful and under-rated of all options. How can you create powerful word-of-mouth advertising for yourself?

By volunteering to speak at group meetings.

First of all, when you are a featured speaker, it is assumed that you are an expert on that particular topic. This is when assuming is a good thing. Speaking to groups of people can help you close volume (i.e. pitch numerous people at once) and is a great way to save time, energy, and money. You can really get your name and brand out there by volunteering to speak at events.

Oh – back to the word goyasu. Here is what it means:

G et

O ff

Y our

A ss[ets]

S peak

U p

Maybe I’ll make a move to have the word goyasu added to the dictionary. Hey, if bling can make in there, why not? (smile).

So the moral of the story is to go out there, and let your light shine by sharing your expertise with others. I do understand that public speaking is not for everyone, but certainly fortune favors the bold, so be bold and collect your fortune.

If you are looking to improve your public speaking skills, networking organizations like Business Network International, NYC Social Media Networkers, and Toastmasters International may help.

Talk to you soon.

Ahhhh… Wouldn’t that be a great life? Well, emPOwering NOW LLC, can make it happen for you. Michael Wolf and Mahalene Louis are teaching a universal curriculum to end the illusion of separation and empowers the heart of conscious creativity. Their mission is to empower Leaders and Visionaries to receive, develop and maintain the state of mind where all things are possible. They are based in Austin, TX.

What I like about the “M&M Connection” (i.e., Mahlene and Michael) is that they are real people who have truly been there and done that. They are not hokey folks who are just spewing theory. For instance, Michael has a great track-record in corporate sales and, and Mahlene dedicated more than two decades of her life making the esoteric easy to understand and practical to every day living.

Folks, I got to tell you, I come across A LOT of business coaches, but Michael and Mahlene are the real deal.

There is a lot of talk about the “Law of Attraction”, and “The Secret”, but I’d dare say Mahlene and Michael’s Mini Intro to the Path of XPR to a great primer to put a lot of things into perspective. Check out this video:

Also, make sure to visit their website at www.EmpoweringNow.com.

All the best,

P.S. I had the pleasure of interviewing them on Tuesday, February 2, 2010.

Click on the player below to listen to the 60-minute interview. You can even download to your iPod or other MP3 device for listening on the go.

Timothy Ferris wrote a great book called The 4-Hour Work Week. In that book, he talks about employing virtual assistants to work in your business while you work on your business. That is to say a virtual assistant (VA) works in your business handling administrative tasks while you focus on growing your business by engaging in income generating activities (e.g., meeting with prospects and existing customers, attending networking events, open house events, product demos, etc.).

Highly qualified VAs are available offshore for as little a $6 per hour. The VAs in based in the Phillipines are particularly skilled and affordable. Some people frown about using offshore personnel and think that money is leaving the USA. That is not true. When a business owner cuts expenses while increasing her/his revenue, it is most likely that that “new found” disposable income will be spent right here in the USA.

To learn more about this option that can help you save time, energy, and money, go to www.OutsourceForSavings.com.

Kind regards,

You know, I like to help people, and generally do not want or expect anything in return. However, when networking, some people always call me for a “hook-up” of some sort but they never reciprocate.

Check out this video I put on YouTube:

Here is a letter that I’m sending to a few people. They have to be reminded that networking is a two-way street:

======================================

Dear Friend,

I need your help.

You know that I network like a mad man and I work really hard to help others have success. I’m always looking for ways to connect people to prospective customers, vendors, and strategic partners. Not all of the referrals work out, but the fact is I give quality introductions via email, or I set up a conference call or a video chat.

Heck, I may have purchased products from you or used your service in the past – or maybe I still do.

Hey, I really need you to help me out.

Who do you know who is a busy corporate professional that has a side business?

I market two services that may be able to help them automate and preschedule blog posts and social media updates, and a tool that allows them to network with others from the comfort of their home or office.

Here are the links for these two services:

• www.PostScheduler.com
• www.SpeedNetworkingOverThePhone.com

Please keep your eyes and ears open for me and forward this info to others in your network.

I’ve shown you time and time again that I do in fact keep my eyes and ears open, and forward info to my social media network about you and the products/services that you offer.

Let’s get the exchange flowing, and let’s keep it going and growing.

Thank you.

Kind regards,

Tyrone Turner

======================================

Hey, if they don’t get the message, they don’t want to get the message. I’ll just take my database of contacts elsewhere.

You make sure that you do the same. Follow your dollar. Put money in the pockets of those that put money in your pockets.

Don’t be reluctant to give first, but if it seems to be a parasitic relationship rather than a symbiotic one, drop that zero and go find a hero.

All the best,

Not all networking groups are created equal.

I’m not saying that one type is necessarily better than any other type, but they are not equal in the sense that there is a difference in the rules of engagement and the expected returns on investment (i.e., of time, energy and money spent).

By my count, there are the 3 categories and 13 specific types of networking groups.

The three categories are as follows:

1. Face-to-Face Business Networking Groups
2. Business Cocktail Mixers
3. Local Chambers of Commerce

When you add up all of the specific types of networking groups that fall under the above three categories, you’ll have thirteen specific networking groups.

Let’s continue.

Face-to-Face Networking Groups

• Business Cocktail Mixers (e.g., various groups on Meetup.com)
• Bottom Line Business Networking Groups (e.g., Business Network International; Le Tip; and Leads Club)
• Local Chambers of Commerce

Advocacy Groups

• Community Groups (e.g., Parents Teachers Association; Civic Associations; and Community Boards)
• Faith-based Organizations (e.g., Churches; Synagogues; Mosques; and Temples)
• Trade Associations (e.g., National Association of Public Accountants; and the National Court Reporters Association)
• Women’s Groups (e.g., various hybrids like Mothers Against Drunk Drivers; or the National Organization for Women)
• Cultural Organizations (e.g., Various ethnic clubs)
• Political Clubs (e.g., Republican Club; Green Party)
• Special Interest Groups (e.g., Sierra Club; People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

Virtual Networking Groups

• Speed Networking Over the Phone Groups (Specifically, BlitzTime)
• Video Chat Networking Groups (e.g., Web Cam Pitch Party)
• Online Referral Exchange Marketplaces (e.g., Salesconx; and ReferQuest)

I recommend that serious networkers join 2 face-to-face business networking groups, 1 advocacy group, and 2 virtual groups. However, don’t join more than one of the same type. Feel free to contact me with any comments or questions.

A lot of us home-based entrepreneurs still have a full-time job. That sure does make growing one’s business kind of difficult. However, difficult is not impossible. Especially in 2010 and beyond.

After reading books like Tim Ferris’ The 4-Hour Work Week and Scott Fox’s e-Riches 2.0, and joining great online communities like The Perfect Biz Finder and Click Millionaires, I picked up a couple of ideas on how to automate your initial contact and follow-up.

I discuss a few of them in the below video.

Check out the video and click through the links for more information on these free and low-cost services.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

• GetResponse
• uReach
• Phonevite
• Send Out Cards
• Ping.fm
• Post Scheduler
• Desk Ping

Let me know how these tools work out for you.

Daniel Stoica, Accounting Consultant, helps you explore and discover your passion and turn it into a successful business, as this is his passion. “Minimizing your tax liability and maximizing your net worth at the same time by providing you with professional accounting and tax preparation services” is his profession. He goes beyond his own expertise and uses the resources of his professional network to meet the needs of his clients. He is incredibly passionate about helping others.

I have to tell you, bookkeeping, accounting, and taxes and the like are not the most exciting topics, but when you don’t have a seasoned professional like Daniel on your side, you can really lose your shirt – or more!

Sometimes, it is not about how much you earn, but how much you keep that counts.

In the Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 podcast I did with Daniel, here are some of the topics we discussed:

• Where you should be spending your hard-earned dollars
• What you should not be spending money on
• What the best business structure is for your business
• How taxes can really add up depending on the nature of your business
• Some of the the deductions that home-based entrepreneurs qualify for
• And a lot more!

This was a general accounting overview and Daniel has agreed to visit with us again to focus on specific aspects of accounting and taxes to optimize your profits.

To listen to the 60-minute interview that is certainly a must-listen to, click on the player below.

David is based in Chicago and his website is www.DanielStoica.com

All the best,

Wow…

A lot of people want to start their own business but don’t know where to start. I don’t mean how to start making money but how to get started at square one by actually picking a business. Hopefully, an entrepreneur picks the right business. Not the right business according to me or anyone else. But what is the right business according to that entrepreneur. Even if you are the already operating a business, perhaps you can maximize your fun and profits by taking on a different function within the business.

This is where Steve Little comes in. Steve Little is the President of Zero Limits, Inc. He is truly a renaissance man. He has been an entrepreneur since 13, he’s a champion athlete, and has made tens of millions of dollars and he’s still going! He’s been rocking and rolling as a successful entrepreneur for more than 40 years now. Steve’s mentoring has helped hundreds of people to break the barriers sabotaging their success and have created their dream life as a result. He has put his knowledge into a program called The Perfect Biz Finder. What it does is help you find your perfect business in 21 days or less. Step by step resources and blog take you by the hand and show you the perfect business that is genetically matched to your DNA.

You can take a free psychoanalytic survey (valued at $297) on his site at www.PickTheRightBizForYou.com.

Check out this 45-minute interview that I did with Steve on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009. You have GOT TO give this a listen.

Make sure to bookmark Steve’s site and to take the survey. He has some exciting announcements in the weeks ahead.

To your success,

Wow…

Scott Fox is a real-deal small biz success story.

Scott Fox is a successful online entrepreneur, an expert on online small business social media marketing and e-business startup strategies, and now an author, radio talk show host, motivational speaker, and e-commerce startup advisor. He is the author of two books: Internet Riches, the best-selling guide to starting a business online, and also e-Riches 2.0, the leading guide to Web 2.0 online marketing strategies, and regular free email newsletters, too.

His expertise as an author is based on personal experience and success: Scott Fox has built multi-million dollar e-businesses ranging from small web site startups, to web sites for celebrities like Bill O’Reilly and Larry King, to the online division of a major corporation. His work and books have been covered by press outlets including the Boston Globe, LA Business Journal, Toronto’s Globe & Mail, Wall Street Journal, Philadelphia Inquirer, Orange County Register, Smart Money and SUCCESS magazines, and many, many radio programs and blogs worldwide.

He recently launched an online success coaching community designed to help small business owners succeed online. The goal of this new social network of online marketers, e-commerce startup execs, and work-at-home entrepreneurs is to help people achieve a “Click Millionaire” lifestyle of personal success.

I really enjoyed interviewing him on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009.

Click on the player below to listen to the interview.

Make sure to check out Scott’s sites at www.ScottFox.com to subscribe to his free newsletters and such, and for those that would like to receive coaching from Scott for less than $1 per day, go to www.ClickMillionaires.com.

May you prosper on the road to Internet riches.

Sincerely,